Catholic Charities of Buffalo has introduced the members of the Appeal 2026 leadership team. This year’s Appeal is led by Daniel Mecca as chair, Pia and Eugene O’Connor as vice chairs, Patricia Spear as parish and community division chair, Nicholas Knab as corporate division chair, and Connor Rosenecker as corporate division vice chair.
“Our Appeal leadership team is instrumental in helping to drive support for this annual campaign, which raises funds for us to continue to provide HOPE to our neighbors in need of all age, faiths, and backgrounds,” said Chuck Hayes, chief communications and development officer, Catholic Charities. “As the region’s most comprehensive human services provider, Catholic Charities’ programs and services touch the lives of nearly one out of every ten people in Western New York.”
The Appeal 2026 chair, Mecca, is president and managing creative director for Abbey Mecca, a Buffalo-based branding, advertising, and digital marketing firm. He currently serves as a member of the board of directors for several area organizations including the Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center, the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation, and the Regional Traffic Alliance. A resident of Williamsville, he is a member of the St. Joseph University Parish community.
Both individually and together, the O’Connors bring their longstanding commitment to faith and service to their role as vice chairs. They have been active members of the OLV Human Services Victory Night Planning Committee and the Catholic Education Committee, and they served as co-chairs of the 2016 Catholic Education Dinner Gala. Pia, a seasoned sales and marketing professional, has served as chair of the American Heart Association board of directors, as a member of the Christ the King Parish Council, and as vice president of the St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute Parents’ Guild. She also serves as a diocesan priest coach and mentor. Eugene is a senior wealth manager with Western New York Asset Management and a Certified Financial PlannerTM professional. His community leadership includes serving as board president of the Buffalo Ronald McDonald House and as president of Central Amherst Little League. He also previously served on the Appeal corporate committee. The O’Connors reside in Amherst and are parishioners of Christ the King R.C. Church.
As parish and community division chair, Spear works with both parish Appeal teams as well as Catholic schools, parish societies and other local Catholic organizations throughout the eight counties of Western New York. She is the assistant coordinator of recruitment and outreach at SUNY Erie. A member of St. Joseph University Parish, Spear also serves as a eucharistic minister and faith formation volunteer. She resides in North Tonawanda.
The corporate division oversees a team of volunteer business leaders and develops strategies for seeking contributions from local corporations and small businesses.
Knab is CEO and co-founder of OneBridge Benefits. He serves on the board of the Foundation for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo and is a member of its audit committee. Knab is also a member of the Bishop’s Council of the Laity and has been involved in key fundraising events for the Our Lady of Victory family of organizations, including as a member of the committee for its annual Victory Nite event. He also serves on the board of WNY Heritage Magazine as treasurer. A resident of Williamsville, Knab and his family are active parishioners at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Williamsville.
Rosenecker joins the leadership team as corporate division vice chair. He is a certified financial planner with Jensen, Marks, Langer & Vance, LLC. A cantor at St. Mary’s of Swormsville, Rosenecker serves on the board of the Foundation for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo and on the board of Claudia Club. Rosenecker and his wife, Katherine, were co-chairs of the 2026 Catholic Education Dinner. As an alumnus, he serves as a trustee and investment committee chairperson at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute and is vice president of the Alumni Association board at Canisius University. Rosenecker resides with his wife in Buffalo.
Appeal 2026 continues through June 30. For more information or to donate to Appeal 2026, visit ccwny.org/donate.
